W&L Outcomes: Kathryn Cover ’24

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
August 6, 2024

Kathryn Cover '24
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Major: Business administration and English

What will you be doing after graduation?

I will be working as a public relations apprentice at Prosek Partners in their New York City office.

How did your career plans evolve over the course of your time at W&L?

I came into W&L thinking I would be a business administration major but did not fully understand the various sectors that exist within the field. Upon taking classes at W&L, I found I really enjoyed my English class as well as my business administration classes and wanted to find a career that could couple elements of the two fields together. From there, I was able to narrow my focus toward a creative approach to business in the fields of advertising, communications and public relations.

What internships or other summer experiences did you partake in and how did those experiences shape you and your career plans?

Last summer, I worked as the Marketing and Communications Fellow at the public relations agency Ketchum. My role enabled me to have hands-on experience within the field of public relations; I worked on projects within project management, crisis management, executive spotlight, reputational work and more. Ketchum's fellowship allowed me to have the unique experience of working both in a communications role as well as a public relations role. I took part in the final fellow project, where we designed a national campaign for Frito-Lay and later pitched it directly to their executives. This internship exposed me to the various facets of the public relations and communications fields, as well as enabled me to grow professionally in both my work and my knowledge.

How did the Office of Career and Professional Development support you and which resources did you find most helpful?

The CPD's events and the Career Fellows were incredibly insightful and supportive throughout my career search. I attended many events hosted by Brooke Peccie, the career adviser for advertising, marketing and communications, such as the general introduction to the AdMarComm fields and participating in the Advertising, Marketing and Communications Career Trip in NYC earlier this spring. Both of these events exposed me to general knowledge of these various industries, prominent names and companies and gave me the opportunity to connect with W&L alumni to further my exploration of these fields. Additionally, the Career Fellows, run by the CPD office, were incredibly helpful to me by reviewing my applications as well as helping me prepare for interviews.

What did you study at W&L, and what are some skills or learnings you will take from your academic experience into the professional world?

I double majored in business administration and English at W&L. The business administration major was very helpful in showcasing subsets of the business field early on within the major requirements. I learned about the financial field through my Managerial Finance class, marketing through Marketing Management and management through Management and Organizational Behavior. From there, I was given the autonomy to select electives that aligned with my interests, further exploring the individual fields within business. I valued the practical application of skill sets and knowledge that my business administration classes embedded within our classes and work. My English major expanded my analytical skills and strengthened my writing, however, I am especially grateful for the array of genres I was exposed to through this major. I was able to exercise my writing abilities and worked with and on analytical writing, creative writing, poetry and more. I learned how to vary my writing and shape it based on the need.

What clubs, organizations, athletic teams or other extracurriculars were you involved in that had an impact on you?

On campus, I served as director of public relations for W&L's PRSSA chapter, a teaching assistant for Applied Statistics and a Rho Gamma for the Panhellenic Council. PRSSA enabled me to work closely with other individuals who were passionate about the industry and become involved in various creative and strategic projects. My role as a TA gave me the opportunity to aid peers, and my role as a Rho Gamma allowed me to facilitate meaningful relationships.

Who or what has inspired you along the way?

My family, friends and professors have inspired me throughout my time at W&L. My family, including my father, who attended W&L, and my two sisters who currently attend W&L, continuously encouraged me to pursue my passions at W&L and offered support and advice when I needed it. My friends constantly pushed me to produce my best work and to enjoy the present. Lastly, my professors, especially professor Holly Pickett in the English department, were so formative toward my academic growth and constantly created and shaped experiences that I was able to take part in.

Did you connect with alumni during your career development process?

Throughout my career development process, I reached out to many alumni of W&L within various industries and also got to meet many alumni in New York City during the CPD's Advertising, Marketing and Communications Career Trip. The W&L alumni network was such an incredible resource in which every alum I talked to was incredibly insightful and extremely supportive in helping me kick start my career. I discovered Prosek Partners, the company I will be joining in the fall, through W&L alumni, and they continued to support me throughout my interview process. I am so appreciative of their support!

What career-related advice would you give to next year's graduating class?

My advice for next year's graduating class would be to be conscious of your present as well as your future. It can be really easy to get lost in the weeds of the job process, but don't let it dictate your final year at W&L. Prioritize your professional search, but also make sure you are prioritizing your friends, family, and all the offerings that W&L has. Everyone's process and timeline look different, but you are equipped with the skills you need to succeed - everything will work out!

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